always behind, struggling from 9th, tailed off
tracked leaders, soon chased winner until fell 9th
held up towards rear, hampered 9th, headway from 5 out, ridden before 4 out, chased winner from 2 out, one pace and no impression
tracked leader, soon in 3rd, left chasing winner from 9th until 5 out, weakened 2 out
held up mid-division, mistake 6th, hampered 9th, went 3rd at 11th, chased winner 5 out, blundered 3 out, no impression
made all, soon clear, kept on strongly
soon towards rear, struggling from 10th, tailed off when pulled up 5 out
held up towards rear, mistake 2nd, headway 5 out, soon weakened, pulled up 3 out
RED TANBER and Lucy Alexander have rattled up a hat-trick here since early December, as a result of which the gelding is now no less than 29lb higher than at the start of his winning spree. He was always in control when scoring here last time over this trip and is probably best sticking with until beaten. Alpha One has taken nicely to fences, finishing runner-up on both chase starts and there should definitely be more to come. However, he does appear rather harshly treated for this handicap bow and Irish raider, Oscar Hill, could prove a greater danger. He's certainly given the impression that he is going to be better over the bigger obstacles than he's shown so far. The consistent Heavenly Chorus also merits shortlist inclusion.
Heavenly Chorus 7-1 (11-12) Held up in rear, hit 6th, in 5th and pushed along before 4 out, went 4th 2 out, no impression, 5th of 9, 15l behind Red Tanber (9-10) at Musselburgh 2m hcp chs 0-115 (4) gs in Dec.
Alpha One (IRE) 11-4 (10-9) Held up in touch in 4th, chased winner before 3 out, ridden before 2 out, no impression, 2nd of 9, 12l behind Time Out (11-0) at Catterick 2m 3f mdn chs (5) sft in Dec.
Red Tanber (IRE) 5-4fav (11-3) Tracked leaders and keen, led 9th, headed after 5 out, led again 4 out, kept on well, won at Musselburgh 2m 4f hcp ch 0-110 (4) gd beating Markadam (10-2) by 5l, 4 ran.
Sergeant Pink (IRE) 28-1 (11-12) Tracked leaders in 3rd, pushed along before 5th, soon weakened, tailed off, 4th of 7, well behind Next To Nowhere (11-6) at Catterick 2m nov hcp chs 0-115 (4) gs.
Streamtown (IRE) 25-1 (10-11) Soon in rear, no impression under pressure and kept on same pace straight, 5th of 6, 14l behind Knockfierna (10-11) at Cork 2m 1f mares nov chs Grade 3 (1) in Dec.
Oscar Hill (IRE) 20-1 (11-11) Chased leader, 4th halfway, no impression approaching 2 out, moderate 3rd from last, 3rd of 16, 27l behind Ros Brin (11-3) at Fairyhouse 2m 4f nov hcp hdl 80-102.
Front Of House (IRE) 22-1 (11-5) Always in rear, tailed off and pulled up 11th, in a race won by Time Out (11-1) at Catterick 2m 3f hcp chs 0-120 (4) sft, 7 ran.
Silver Steel (FR) 16-1 (10-4) Held up towards rear, headway and hit 9th, brought down 11th, in a race won by Tyrone House (11-4) at Musselburgh 2m 4f hcp chs 0-120 (3) gd in Jan '11, 8 ran.
